The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 141: what you’re looking at

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124 REYNOLDS’ WORKS lordship would be with him. Christian examined the book- shelves, and found that they were crowded with splendidly bound volumes, belonging, as a matter of course, to all classes oi literature, but it occurred to him that very few appeared to have been atall used. Indeed, the impression produced upon his mind was that the library was what it too often is in the mansions of the great, — intended more for show than for service. He wondered to himself what sort of a nobleman the Earl of Lascelles would prove to be, and in imagination he was depicting a tall, aristocratic-looking individual, when the door opened, and an old gentleman of sixty, of most ungainly figure, apparelled with a ludicrous admixture of old beau dandyism and of slovenliness, with large, prominent features, the expression of which almost provoked an inclina- tion to laughter, made his appearance. Christian was mar- velling who this could be, — whether the majordomo, the butler, the valet, or any other functionary of the nobleman’s household, when the odd-looking individual, advancing straight up to him, said, with a patronizing smile, -“ So you are the young gentleman who advertised for the post of private secretary? Well, upon my word, your appearance is prepossessing enough. You say your testimonials are good, but I am terribly difficult to please, and I must exam- ine: you critically.’’ Christian had now no longer any doubt as to whose pres- ence it was in which he stood, but he could not help thinking that his lordship was more fitted by nature to play the part of buffoon upon the stage than to enact that of an hereditary legislator. “ Sit down, Mr. Ashton, and let us converse,’’ resumed the Earl of Lascelles. “‘ First of all, with regard to the testimonials? ”’ Christian produced them, and as the earl took the papers, he said, ‘‘ You see I can read perfectly well without spec- tacles, and yet nowadays it seems to be the fashion for gentlemen to take to glasses at my age, which is five and forty.” Christian could scarcely help starting, for he would have wagered his existence that the earl was sixty, u he was a single day. , “Ah, an excellent testimonial from the Duke of March- mont! I know his Grace well. Between you and me,” j Gomicbooks7co